'Stories of Mothers Saved' launched in India

New Delhi, August:  In a country where women have broken the glass ceiling (India has a woman President, Speaker, business tycoons and recently 30% reservation in Parliament), 70,000 maternal deaths occur every year – one every eight minutes. These women who die EVERY YEAR are in the prime of their life and the biggest injustice is that 70 to 80% of these deaths are preventable.

Panel of experts launch Stories of Mothers Saved in New Delhi/ Photo credit: WRA

But things can be different.

Today, in the Capital, the White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood, India (WRA India) will launch ‘Stories of Mothers Saved’, a multimedia campaign by WRA and supported by UNFPA.

This campaign showcases stories of women who did not die needlessly in pregnancy or childbirth. They provide proof that change can happen through small but significant efforts.

The ‘Stories of Mothers Saved’ had its global launch during the ‘Women Deliver’ conference in Washington DC earlier this year. 

Stories have been collected by White Ribbon Alliance (WRA) members in 60 communities across nearly 30 countries. Each one is a powerful and moving tale of a woman who survived childbirth, due to a key action taken by the woman, her family, the community, a health worker, a political leader or others. Many stories from various communities in India formed a part of this global campaign.

Speaking of the Indian initiative, Dr Aparajita Gogoi, National Coordinator, White Ribbon Alliance of India says, “70,000 women die due to pregnancy related clauses every year in India. A woman dies every 8 minutes in India due to pregnancy related complications. The point is that 70% of these deaths are preventable. These stories move out of gloom and spread hope. One small act can make a difference between life and death, and the stories of these women prove this.”

Dr Aparajita Gogoi, National Coordinator, White Ribbon Alliance of India/ Photo credit: WRA

Adding to these thoughts, HRH Sarah Zeid, Champion for Safe Motherhood, WRA, said she was proud to launch the Indian Stories of Mothers Saved and that the right to be alive and healthy is one that every woman across the globe is entitled to. “We can and must make every effort to see that this becomes a reality.”

“This is a global phenomena and its only when people from all spheres of life and from all countries join hands is significant change possible. That is essentially what the White ribbon Alliance is about. And we need each one of you,” says Theresa Shaver, Executive Director/President, WRA.

My life, my story

When Ritu started bleeding on the morning of August 18, 2008, she went to a private hospital, where she was told she would be able to deliver without complications in a few days time. But two days later, Ritu’s pain and bleeding were even worse and she was taken to another doctor. The latter said that Ritu had lost a lot of blood and the family must find blood donors as there was no blood bank available. This was difficult due to the monsoon season and lack of transport, but Ritu’s mother succeeded in finding some local youth who agreed to donate blood. Meanwhile, the doctor recommended a Cesarean section to save the lives of Ritu and her baby. That night, her baby girl was delivered, but by morning, Ritu’s whole body was swollen and the baby was shivering. After receiving the blood transfusion, Ritu had to remain in hospital for twelve days.

Ritu is grateful that her family knew the dangers of bleeding and made sure she had a Cesarean Section and access to blood donors. Their swift action saved her life and that of her baby.

My name is B. Munilakshmi. I live in Gajendranagar, Salipeta, Andhra Pradesh. I got married at the age of 21. My husband is a weaver by profession. After five months of our marriage, I became pregnant and received regular antenatal from the nearby Urban Health Centre.

My husband always took good care of me and bought me whatever I needed. I was always dreaming about my child, and hoped to provide her/him with a good education. Starting from around the ninth month, I became afraid of delivery. I knew that some women died during delivery, and was worried about having a difficult delivery. When my labor pains started, the Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) advised me to go the hospital. My husband took me to the hospital, but because of my high blood pressure, I gave birth to a dead baby.

After six months, I became pregnant again and immediately contacted the Urban Health Centre. The staff there counseled me and referred me to the hospital for delivery. I gave birth to a healthy boy this time around. My other child was born healthy as well, one-and-a-half years later.

If I had died during delivery, my children might have been orphans. My husband might have married another lady, and there would be no one to take care of my children.

If I were in the Government, I would recommend that every pregnant woman be given a monthly allowance, so that they can purchase nutritious food items and medicines for taking care of their health.

About White Ribbon Alliance of India

The White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood India, a voluntary coalition of individuals and organizations, is working to educate mothers, fathers, communities, media, frontline health workers, civil societies, health officials and institutions, elected representatives and policy makers. Everyone must recognize their part in improving maternal health.

The White Ribbon Alliance is a global alliance of organizations and individuals committed to saving mothers’ and newborns’ lives. The White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood, India (WRAI) has been working since its inception in 1999 towards preventing maternal deaths and promoting safe motherhood.